Kidnapped by Police: Georgia Needs Moms

In Georgia, if you want to make a lady blush, remind her of the peach she is. But beware, she can be quite the sour peach, as well. And when the state known for its southern hospitality, beautiful landscapes, and delightful peaches comes under scrutiny for carrying out a modern-day witch hunt, you can bet your biscuit, the tarts turned targets will get sour.

Destroying the lives of women one single mother at a time, Georgia judges seem more devoted to casting stones to keep her silenced than they are in protecting women, children or rights. Supported by the cavalry of DFCS, CPS, and police and sheriff departments across the state, the question has to be asked: Is Georgia ever going to step into the modern day of respecting equality among women, or will it forever be casting biblical stones of judgment and oppression?

Let’s cast the light of flames that have been lit under these Georgia Moms.

Monica Rivera: A Divorce Hijacked by Activism

We all have that one conspiracy theorist friend. And maybe he operates a legal cannabis platform remotely from the comfort of his home that you’ve been staying in while you and your ex work out your divorce. This was the scene for Monica when she and her husband decided it was time to part ways and they had a young boy together. Due to the cost of procuring a lawyer, it was stressful enough for Monica to defend herself against the unwarranted attacks of mental and verbal abuse levied upon her by a narcissistic man-child and his questionably-pedaling-pedo-mother. Of course, mom, because she has ties to the judge, who likely doomed the case from the start on account of his complete despise for Daniel Louis Crumpton, a well-known local activist who thwarted Judge Lukemire’s brother in a political election and continues to call out corruption in Warner Robins on the Zeninthecar.com War-Town Times Blog. 

In Warner Robins, being friendly with the neighborhood crusader of justice only paints a target on  your back. Monica’s legal nightmare wasn’t just a custody and alimony circus. No, it was a full-on carnival of absurdity. It seemed like her lifestyle choices—supporting the Constitution and fighting for freedom—were considered criminal offenses in the eyes of her ex and his dubious family (her ex’s mom’s YouTube channel, featuring her tied up in revealing negligees and filming kids in bathtubs, was more acceptable than Monica’s advocacy for civil liberties).

Monica’s case was marred by biases, and her rights seemed more like checks on a list to be revoked.  Her custody was unfavorably split like a dictated vendetta with her ex-husband after demands to separate herself from Mr. Crumpton were refused.

Tyshyra Dent: The Price of the Protest

Tyshyra Dent -- This Douglasville mom decided to take a stand against police brutality. What did she get for her trouble? A one-way ticket to legal hell. Tyshyra’s arrest and subsequent treatment were a stark reminder that in Georgia, the First Amendment might as well come with a footnote: “Subject to police approval.”

Imagine protesting for a better future for your children and ending up in jail. It’s like the universe’s worst joke, except the punchline is a violation of your constitutional rights. Tyshyra’s experience begs the question: Is standing up for justice a crime in Georgia? The authorities’ response seems to be a resounding “yes.”

Tyshyra Dent’s encounter with the Atlanta police on October 29, 2021 could be the plot of a dark comedy if it weren’t so grim. Here’s how it went: Dent, a passionate activist advocating for civil rights, ends up in a confrontation with the police that escalates into accusations of excessive force. Now, this isn’t your typical "cop pulls over for a broken tail light" scenario. No, this was a full-on spectacle where the pursuit of justice seemed to be the real crime. What began as a dispute in a convenience store was escalated into a full-on attack by officers which left Tyshyra with head and body injuries.

Dent’s case was not just about bruises and broken trust, though; it was a testament to how activism can secretly put you on a list with local law enforcement that lands you in hot water. Instead of receiving support, Dent found herself facing a system that seemed more interested in punishing her for her advocacy than addressing the alleged brutality. The irony? Fighting for civil liberties became her liability, as if standing up for human rights was somehow a ticket to getting more of the very treatment she was protesting against.

In a city where being an activist might as well be a crime, Dent’s struggle was overshadowed by the absurdity of a legal and police system that appeared to be in competition for who could be more out of touch. Her rights seemed less like a guarantee and more like a buffet line of bureaucratic red tape. The entire ordeal was a harsh reminder that sometimes, the fight for justice can feel like a battle against a system that’s more interested in maintaining its own mess than fixing it.

As of the latest updates, the legal proceedings related to Dent’s case were ongoing. The outcome of the lawsuit and the results of the internal investigation were yet to be fully determined. The case continues to be a focal point in discussions about police brutality and systemic issues within law enforcement.

Tiwanna Woods: The Cost of Housing Advocacy

Tiwanna Woods, this Atlanta mom on a mission for affordable housing, might as well have been battling a dragon. Instead of swords and fire-breathing beasts, she’s fighting an impenetrable bureaucracy and discriminatory practices. The result? A legal and social quagmire that’s as frustrating as it is absurd.

Tiwanna’s struggle illustrates a grim reality: Advocating for the less fortunate can make you a target. Her case was a clear message from the powers that be – “Don’t rock the boat, or we’ll make sure you sink.” And yet, the question remains: Who benefits from silencing voices like Tiwanna’s? Certainly not the families she’s trying to help.

A dedicated activist fighting for fair housing, Tiwanna ends up tangled in a bureaucratic nightmare. Instead of her advocacy leading to progress, it feels like she’s been thrust into a Kafkaesque loop where fighting for a basic human right is treated like a crime. You’d think pushing for decent housing for your family would earn you a medal, not a mountain of red tape and legal headaches. But in the world of housing in Atlanta, it seems like standing up for what’s right is as risky as playing a high-stakes game of Monopoly, except with real-world consequences and zero chance of passing “Go.”

Woods’ battle against discriminatory housing practices wasn’t just about securing a roof over people’s heads—it was about fighting an entire system that seemed to view her activism as a threat. Rather than being hailed as a hero for advocating for those in need, she’s been met with legal obstacles and institutional resistance that only highlight the disparity in the housing system. Her efforts to improve affordable housing options have been met with bureaucratic barriers and an unsettling amount of resistance from those who benefit from the status quo.

In a city where advocating for affordable housing can seem like a call to arms, Woods' struggle underscores the absurdity of a system that prefers to maintain its own chaos rather than address real issues. Her fight is a stark reminder that sometimes, pushing for justice can feel like an uphill battle against an entrenched system more interested in preserving its own flaws than in making meaningful changes.

As of the latest updates, Woods' legal and advocacy efforts continue. Her case remains a powerful testament to the challenges faced by those fighting for equitable housing and serves as a crucial part of the ongoing conversation about reforming housing policies in Atlanta.

Mary Hooks: A Protester’s Punishment

Mary Hooks, co-director of Southerners on New Ground (SONG), has a story that’s all too familiar. This single mother’s protests against immigration policies and police violence turned her into a target for legal intimidation. Apparently, in Georgia, using your voice means you’ve got a bullseye on your back.

In 2020, during protests related to police violence and immigration, Mary Hooks faced significant legal pressure. The intimidation included aggressive surveillance, legal threats, and public scrutiny aimed at discouraging her and her organization from continuing their advocacy. This form of legal harassment often involves attempts to stifle activists through legal means, rather than direct criminal charges. Her "crime"? Simply exercising her First Amendment rights. Mary’s activism, aimed at confronting systemic issues and advocating for marginalized communities, was met with a harsh and unsettling response.

Her ordeal underscores a troubling trend: when peaceful assembly challenges the status quo, it seems to become a criminal act rather than a fundamental right. It was a harsh reminder that the right to protest is selectively upheld. When did peaceful assembly become a criminal activity?

Her activism, deeply tied to her role as a mother, reflects a broader struggle where fighting for justice and equality is met with intimidation and legal hurdles and makes us wonder: How far will they go to silence dissention from mothers?

April Ross: Reforming Justice, Receiving Injustice

April Ross, a Gwinnett County mother and criminal justice reform advocate found vocal criticism of local law enforcement practices didn’t earn her any friends in high places. Instead of receiving accolades for her advocacy, April faced a slew of legal challenges that seemed less like justice and more like a calculated effort to silence her.

April’s efforts to address and reform the flaws within the criminal justice system have made her a target of retaliation, illustrating that the system’s tolerance for criticism is as thin as it is unjust. From legal threats, harassment and attacks on her credibility, her case underscores a troubling reality: when you stand up to push for systemic change, the response can often be an aggressive crackdown designed to intimidate and suppress dissent. It’s a stark reminder that in a system where the status quo reigns supreme, challenging the system can come with severe consequences.

These experiences highlight a disturbing trend growing in the state of Georgia against their motherly population: Retaliation against those who seek to improve the system. When advocating for justice makes you a target, it raises serious questions about the system's commitment to change. For these mothers, it seems that challenging the status quo, no matter how flawed, often results in personal and legal repercussions. It’s as if the system prefers to maintain its broken state rather than embrace the necessary reforms that these courageous women are fighting for.

The Real Crimes

These women’s stories paint a troubling picture of a state where constitutional rights are more like suggestions than guarantees. The real crimes here aren’t the protests or the activism; they’re the abuses of power, the retaliations, and the systemic bias that seeks to keep mothers like Monica, Tyshyra, Tiwanna, Mary, and April in their place.

Georgia, it’s time to ask yourself some tough questions. Why are you so afraid of strong, vocal women? What are you so desperate to protect that you’d trample on the rights of those who want to make things better? Maybe it’s time for a change. Maybe it’s time you realized that you need moms like these. They’re not the problem; they’re the solution.

Georgia needs moms – brave, outspoken, relentless moms who refuse to back down. Because in the end, their fight is for all of us.